Crews Battling Large Fire in Downtown Melrose

The Melrose Police Department says crews were called to the building on Main Street shortly after 12:30 p.m. this (Thursday) afternoon.

WJON reporter Alex Svejkovsky is on the scene at the corner of 4th Avenue and Main Street, he says crews are still fighting the blaze (as of 2:30 p.m.). A lot of spectators are watching the fire crews, who have the building surrounded to fight the blaze.

Several businesses are on the ground level of the building with apartments on top. The fire seems to be coming from the upper level. A couple people needed to be rescued from the upper level via ladder.

The thick smoke is spreading from downtown and can be seen for miles.

Fire crews from Melrose, Freeport and Sauk Centre are all battling the fire.